Kawhi Leonard Hypes Steph Curry Matchup in NBA Play-In Tournament, 'Can't Take It For Granted'

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Clippers vet Kawhi Leonard are entering the home stretch of their respective careers, and Leonard knows he has to take advantage of every moment he gets to go up against an all-time great.

Leonard said before the Clippers' play-in clash with the Warriors that he "can't take it for granted" when he faces Curry.

"He's one of the greatest players to play this game," Leonard said. "…Even if it's just a pickup game, just being able to share the floor with a player like that — being coached by Steve Kerr, also playing with Draymond, that unit over there of championship pedigree. It's a great opportunity. You can't take it for granted."

Wednesday's matchup between the Clippers and Warriors won't be the first time Leonard and Curry have matched up in a playoff environment, and it will be far from the biggest stage.

The two all-time greats have met in the playoffs a handful of times, including once in the 2019 NBA Finals when Leonard and the Raptors beat an injury-ridden Warriors squad.

The game won't have quite as much meaning as that matchup, but both players' seasons will be on the line. Whoever wins on Wednesday will move on to the second play-in game against either the Portland Trail Blazers or the Phoenix Suns.

From there, a win in the second play-in game would mean a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who are looking to defend their title.

While both Curry and Leonard have established themselves among the NBA's legendary icons, leading a team from the play-in to an improbable deep playoff run would only improve their resumes.

Leonard, 34, put together one of the best seasons of his career this year, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, helping the Clippers stay in the playoff race despite James Harden's departure at the trade deadline.

Curry was limited to just 43 games amid a nagging knee injury, but put up 26.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game when healthy.